Lighting options

[MikeDeL]

Im trying to figure out what I want to do for lighting. Heres what I am thinking.

--Option 1
1 175w 10k MH w/ 2 36w Actinic 03 PCs on a 2x55w ballast

--Option 2
1 175w 6500k MH w/ 2 36w Actinic 03 PCs on a 2x55w ballast

--Option 3
1 175w 20k MH w/ 1 96w 10k quad PC

--Option 4
1 175w 20k MH w/ 1 96w 6700k quad PC

If everything goes right this will be going over a 20g almost cube tank. (20Lx15Wx15H). Im sure this will be enough light. Im wondering which would be the best mix of light. Right now I have abunch of softies and a hand full of stonies. I would like to start adding more SPS, and maybe try my hand at a clam or anemone one day. What do yall think?


Thanks,
Mike

[Ram_Puppy]

hey Mike, if you want to save yourself a little cash, go to home depot and get some regular 'medium' screw in bases (like for an incandescent bulb) they have some that are rubberized that work great. Then run out to CB Pets and buy their 10K/Actinic Coralife Mini-Compacts, they are 20 watts apiece I think, and put out great light. I have six of these running on my 30 gallon hex, plus a 175 watt 10K metal halide. It works out to be a very crisp white light, but I am not satisfied with coral coloration, and I don't like the ultra blue tanks, so I just ordered a Hamilton 14K bulb, I think this will probably end up being the ideal mix of light.

And as everyone alsways says, the closer to 65K you get, the more yellow, better growth, the closer to 20K you get, bluer, better color, less growth, i believe lumens go down as color temp rises as well.

hope that helps.

[GaryP]

The only problem with the actinic PC's is that they don't give you the 420 nm light that many corals need. The only way to get 420 nm is with VHO's.

By going with VHO's you can go with a lower K value MH (such as 10K) that would result in a better spectrum balance and still get good growth.

Gary

[matt]

The only problem with the actinic PC's is that they don't give you the 420 nm light that many corals need. The only way to get 420 nm is with VHO's.

By going with VHO's you can go with a lower K value MH (such as 10K) that would result in a better spectrum balance and still get good growth.

Gary

Are you sure about this? Any studies that demonstrate this? I agree that vho actinics look nicer than PC bulbs, but there are "true actinic" PC bulbs that look pretty good. But, I've never read anything that shows that corals need true actinic lights to thrive. How about the thousands of tanks that use MH bulbs alone, or some very successful tanks that use PC bulbs?

If it were my tank, I'd definitely go with a mini pendent, 150WDE or 250DE, depending on how much intensity you want. I'd also be very curious about the newer 14k DE bulbs out there. I think one of these pendents would give you a nicer light spread for this size tank and help with heat issues.

As far as keeping anemones in such a small tank, there are other issues aside from light!

[GaryP]

Matt,

Larry sent me some info on that and I didn't bookmark it. Let me see if I can give me to post something here that has the info on that.

Gary

[MikeDeL]

I was wondering the samething. This is what Hello Lights says about there Actinic 03 PC bulbs "Emits light that peaks at 420 and 430nm. "

Matt, as far as the pendent idea, I was planning on building a canopy for my lighting. I dont really want to go hanging anything from the ceiling since I live in an apartment. The anemone is just an idea. I wasnt planning on running out buying MHs and tossing in an anemone. I havent even started reading about them, its just an idea of something to look into later on down the road at this point.

If I do decide to go VHO, the shortest ones I can find are 24". What would the light effect be like if I can the lights from corner to corner instead of side to side?


Thanks,
Mike

[matt]

Canopy with strong lights on a tank that small....hope you like caldo de pescado!

[Tim Marvin]

I run the corner tank on one 250DE 12k and 3 PC actinics and I get excellent growth.
Mike, I'd do one 250 DE and a couple actinics that will fit in there....Maybe a quad PC actinic.

[MikeDeL]

Well I did the math, 24" bulbs wont fit corner to corner either.

What I have in mind for the cananpy is more like a hutch. It would be like a suspended canopy, or a pendent without hangers running from the ceiling. It will be above the tank, not sitting on top of it, so there will still be open air between the tank and lights.

Tim, I have looked for a quad PC actinic and cant find one. I already have the quadlamp so I thought that would be a good idea, but the only bulbs I can find for it are 67k 10k and 50/50. You know where I can find an actinic? I have checked Hello Lights already.

[MikeDeL]

Tim 250w plus actinincs is a ton of light on a 20 gallon isnt it?

[Tim Marvin]

It sure is, but it will get you goooooood growth and color on those acropora. You can hang it 12-20 inches above the tank and grow your house plants along side.....LOL.....Come to think of it Jim was probably running about that ratio. That would be about 17 watts per gallon with a quad.

[MikeDeL]

I was shooting for 13 to 14. I guess though since its winter, with those lights I want need the heater. May even need to crank up the A/C. LOL

[Tim Marvin]

0k, 150watt DE and some actinics.

[MikeDeL]

So what is are the advatages of a DE over a standard base?

[MikeDeL]

Here is what I was thinking about.

1 ARO Electronic Ballast -150/175W Metal Halide
MH Bulb: 175W 10,000K USHIO 21-5000761 (+$65) 160.00
-1 Power Cord - Grounded
3.50
-1 24" Polished Aluminum Mirror Reflector
Mogul_Sockets: Add ONE w/Bracket #61-61025 (+$9.95) 35.70
-1 2x 55W ARO CF Ballast Kit - Straight Pin
Included: 4 Lamp Clips #62-62008 per kit (+$0) 79.95
-2 55W / 65W TRU Actinic 03, 21" -Straight Pin Base
43.90

[MikeDeL]

By the way which bulb would you guys recommend, Ushio or Corallife MH?


Thanks,
Mike

[GaryP]

Ushio is pretty much top of the line but its also one of the more pricey ones.

Gary

[NaCl_H2O]

I think you will like the Ushio 10K w/PC Actinics - I have this in my 140g and it is a nice crisp color combo. If you are looking for good SPS growth, you should consider the 65K combo, but it isn't as "human pleasing" as the 10Ks. I have both combos running (but 65Ks with VHOs)if you want to see the difference.

BTW - I like the SunPaq Dual Actinic (420/460NM) PCs!

No experience with 20Ks?

[Tim Marvin]

DE puts out more intense light and not as hot. A 150w DE is about the equivilant of a 250w mogul. I don't agree with Ushio being the best...I have probably tried every bulb out there, and this last bulb is a megachrome from Aquatek. Unfortunately I couldn't buy it wholesale but have really liked this bulb as far as color and growth. I am going to use a coralvue next.